Related Articles

If you're visiting Manhattan, forget about sleeping in on a Monday morning. New York is the ultimate place to find something to do -- even at the very beginning of the week when the Monday Morning Blues should be setting in. No matter your tastes or how early you rise, an exciting morning event is always on during Mondays in the Big Apple.

Watch Live TV Tapings

If you want to start the week among the crowds of the city, head to Midtown and watch the "Today" show being filmed. You don't need tickets to view the live production -- just find a spot around the barricades. Taping starts at 7 a.m. at 49th Street in Rockefeller Plaza, just off Fifth Avenue. To be part of a Monday morning studio audience, head to Lincoln Square and stand in line for "Live! With Regis and Kelly" standby tickets. While many audience members will have tickets already, the studio hands out standby numbers to fill seats. Entry is granted first come, first served, and people are encouraged to be in line as early as 7 a.m.

Museums

Some New York museums are closed on Mondays, but a few are open to the public. Beat the afternoon school group crowd and get to a museum in the morning. Venture to the West Side and visit the American Museum of Natural History (amnh.org). to view exhibitions of towering dinosaurs, natural phenomenons and artwork. The museum opens at 10 a.m. and even features three places to eat -- all opening at 11 a.m. The Museum of Modern Art (moma.org) is another place to visit on a Monday morning. This place in bustling Midtown opens at 10:30 a.m. and has a stunning collection of prints, architecture models and photographs. MoMA also has two cafes, both starting service at 11 a.m.

Central Park Events

Stroll around Central Park for an energetic start to the week or spend the morning bird watching, then take advantage of the morning events going on each Monday. Past events have included professional dance instruction for children and their caregivers, as well as "Run for the Parks" races for kids, which had a post-race reception. If you prefer a more adventurous Monday morning in the park, rent a boat or bike and explore your surroundings. Loeb Boathouse (thecentralparkboathouse.com) offers both boat and bike rentals from 10 a.m.

Walking Tours

Take a walking tour around the Big Apple on a Monday morning to meet new people as well as to learn more about the city's history, culture and food. Big Onion Walking Tours (bigonion.com) conducts tours at 11 a.m. every Monday, exploring a variety of neighborhoods including Chelsea, the Lower East Side and Times Square. History, architecture and landmarks are all explored along the way. If you're a foodie, take one of the Foods of New York tours (foodsofny.com). Greenwich Village Food Tasting and Cultural Tour takes participants to more than a half dozen eateries in the neighborhood, to sample everything from cheeses to baked goods.

About the Author

Rachel Oakley has written professionally since 2003. She has worked as an editorial intern at "The Onion" newspaper and freelanced for the educational website Gigglepotz. She also worked as an editorial assistant in Australia, while completing college. Oakley holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and philosophy from the University of Adelaide, Australia.

Have Feedback?

Thank you for providing feedback to our Editorial staff on this article. Please fill in the following information so we can alert the Travel Tips editorial team about a factual or typographical error in this story. All Fields are required.